Extending Pull-Up Bar

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus for pull ups has two L-shaped tubes, each having a first segment and a second segment. The L-shaped tubes are mounted in parallel planes to a mounting bracket, a stabilizer bar, and a pull up bar. The first segment of the L-shaped tube is a first outer tube containing a plurality of telescoping tubes within the outer tube. The apparatus may be lowered or raised by removing the pin from the pin-holes of the plurality of telescoping tubes, sliding at least one inner telescoping tube out from, or into, an outer telescoping tube, and then inserting the pin through the through-hole of the telescoping tubes to lock the adjusted height in place.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/585,300, entitled “Extending Pull-Up Bar” filed on Jan. 11, 2012, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure pertains generally to fitness and sporting goodsequipment, and provides a platform for conditioning the human body; inparticular, to bars for perform exercises, such as pull-ups, dips,hangs, or leg lifts, collectively referred to as “pull-up bars.” Someexample pull-up bars according to the present disclosure may be used byindividuals desiring to increase their upper body or core strength.

SUMMARY

An apparatus for performing exercises includes at least one L-shapedsupport tube having a first segment and a generally perpendicular secondsegment (in an embodiment, the first segment may be part of the verticalportion of the “L” and the second segment may be part of the horizontalpart of the “L”). In an exemplary embodiment, there are two parallelL-shaped tubes rigidly fixed to a mounting bracket, stabilizer bar, andpull-up bar respectively extending between the parallel L-shaped tubes.

The mounting bracket and stabilizer bar may be attached to the firstsegment of the L-shaped tube. The first segment of the L-shaped tube maybe an outer tube containing a plurality of telescoping tubes within theouter tube, to provide vertical adjustability of the second segment andthe other components mounted thereto, for example. In an exemplaryembodiment, the mounting bracket is attached to the outermost tube, andthe stabilizer bar is mounted to the innermost telescoping tube, whilethe pull-up bar is mounted to the second segment of the L-shaped tube.

In a first position, the plurality of telescoping tubes are nestedwithin the outer tube (e.g., no vertical adjustment). In a secondposition, at least one of the plurality of telescoping tubes areextended from the outer tube (e.g., partial vertical adjustment). In athird position, the plurality of telescoping tubes are completelyextended from the outer tube (e.g., complete vertical adjustment). A pinselector and through hole system may allow for selective locking thetubes in the desired position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawingsdepict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure andare, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. Thedisclosure will be described with additional specificity and detailthrough use of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary exercise apparatus in afirst position; and

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary exercise apparatus in asecond position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary exercise apparatus 100 in a first position is shown inFIG. 1. Two L-shaped tubes 102 each include a first segment 104 and asecond segment 105 extending generally perpendicular to one another. Inan embodiment, the L-shaped tubes 102 are configured to be mounted sothat the first segment 104 extends vertically along a vertical wall ordoor or doorway, while the second segment extends horizontally out fromthe vertical wall, door or doorway. In some embodiments, a portion ofthe first segment 104 and second segment 105 may be formed from acontinuous L-shaped tube or bar. In some embodiments, first segment 104and second segment 105 may be rigidly connected by an L-shaped, orcurved connector 106. Connector 106 may be a curved cuff, or bent rod ortube. The two L-shaped tubes 102 are mounted in parallel planes to amounting bracket 108, a stabilizer bar, 112, and/or a pull-up bar 122,respectively extending between the two L-shaped tubes 102.

Mounting bracket 108 may be attached to L-shaped tube 104 at theproximal end (or upper end) of the first segment 104, and may include atleast one attachment point 110, for screws or nails, for attaching to awall. The bracket attachment points 110 may slide along the mountingbracket 108 to align to wall sides. Stabilizer bar 112 may be attachedto the first segment 104 of the L-shaped tube 102, generally on theopposite end (lower end) of the L-tube 102 from the mounting bar 108approximate the connector 106. Stabilizer bar 112 may include grips 114for performing exercises at an alternate height. One or more pins 120may be attached to stabilizer bar 112 with a cord 118, such as a bungeecord, for selectively locking an apparatus 100 extension position aswill be discussed below.

The second segment 105 of the L-shaped tube may be generallyperpendicular to first segment 104 of the L-shaped tube 102. A pull upbar 122 may be mounted to the second segment 105 of the L-shaped tube102, and may be attached anywhere along the second segment 105. In anexemplary embodiment, the pull-up bar 122 is set back (from the outerhorizontal end of the second segment) leaving a section 132 of bar 105exposed, for an alternate grip position. Pull up bar 122 and exposedsection 132 may be covered by one or more grips 128 which providefriction and/or a comfortable hold. Rings 126, such as rigid metalrings, may be attached to the pull up bar 122 (as shown in the figures)or to the L-shaped tubes 102, to attach optional accessories. Rings 126provide a point to attach accessories such as weights to increasedifficulty, bands to provide assistance, free-hanging rings to providealternate handles, or other exercise variations.

The first segment 104 may include a plurality of telescoping tubes toprovide vertical adjustability of the pull-up bar 122 and/or stabilizerbar 112 and/or rings 126 and or other accessories. FIG. 1 showsoutermost tube 104 a and an innermost tube 104 b. In the embodimentdescribed above where a portion of first segment 104 and second segment105 is a continuous L-shaped tube or bar piece, inner tube 104 b andsegment 105 forms the continuous piece. In embodiments where firstsegment 104 and second segment 105 are rigidly connected by an L-shaped,or curved connector 106, curved connector 106 rigidly connects toinnermost tube 104 b and second segment 105.

In a detailed exemplary embodiment, mounting bracket 108 is rigidlyattached to outermost tube 104 a, and stabilizer bar 112 is rigidlyattached to innermost tube 104 b. In a detailed exemplary embodiment,stability bar 112 is rigidly attached to innermost tube 104 b, and cuff106 is attached to the first segment 104 by the innermost tube 104 b.

Apparatus 100 may be mounted to a wall or a door frame, such as a doorframe, by mounting bracket 108 over the frame, on an outer side of awall, and resting stabilizer bar 112 on inner side of the wall to opposethe rotational force generated by use of the pull up bar (to allow sucha mounting over an open door frame it may be desirable that thestabilizer bar be longer than the width of the door frame). In thisconfiguration, pull up bar 122 may be used at a first height, andstabilizer bar 112 provides a bar for exercises at an alternate height.The free extended area 132 of segment 106 provides an alternate grip forpull ups or other exercises. It will be appreciated that there arenumerous alternate ways to mount the mounting bracket 108 and/orapparatus 100 to a vertically elevated support, such as by hanging upona door or mounting to a vertical wall by mounting bolts or screws (forexample); all of which are contemplated by the current disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows exemplary exercise apparatus 100′ in an extended positionof exercise apparatus 100. Because mounting bracket 108 is fixed above aframe, extended position of apparatus 100′ places pull-up bar 122 at alower position relative to the non-extended, or closed, apparatusposition 100 shown in FIG. 1. The first segment 104 includes a pluralityof telescoping tubes 204 a, 204 b, and 104 b within the outer tube 104a. The plurality of telescoping tubes 104 are slidably attached;adjacent tubes 104 lock together at the extended position. FIG. 2 showsfour tubes 104 a, 204 a, 204 b, 104 b, but there may be as few as twotelescoping tubes, outermost tube 104 a and innermost tube 104 b, up toany number of additional tubes 204 n. The outermost tube 104 a containsa through hole 206 for receiving a pin on its distal end, and theinnermost tube 104 b contains a through hole for receiving a pin on itsdistal and proximal end. Each telescoping tube 204 a, 204 b . . . 204 nincludes two through-holes 206, one at the distal end from bracket 108,and one at the proximal end from bracket 108. Each through-hole 206 issized to receive pin 120.

Each telescoping tube 204 provides an additional extension length forapparatus 100′. For example, FIG. 2 shows three telescoping tubes 204 a,204 b, and 104 b within the outer tube 104 a, for a total of fourpositions to choose from. The first position, shown in FIG. 1, in afully retracted, or closed position, and pull-up bar 122 is locked atthe highest position. In this first position, the plurality oftelescoping tubes 104 are locked within the outer tube 104 a byinserting pin 120 through each distal pin-hole 206 of the plurality thetelescoping tubes 104.

Pull up bar 124 on apparatus 100′ may be lowered by removing pin 120from the through-holes 206 of telescoping tubes 104, and sliding atleast one inner telescoping tube 104 b, 204 a, or 204 b, out from outertelescoping tube 104 a, 204 a, or 204 b to a desired extension length,and inserting the pin through the aligned through-holes 206 of thetelescoping tubes 104 of the selected extension. For example, tube 104 bmay be slid out from tube 204 b, and pin 120 inserted through theproximal through-hole 206 of tube 104 b and the distal through-holes 206of tubes 104 a, 204 a, 204 b. The tubes 104 do not have to be slid outconsecutively, e.g. tube 104 b may remain locked in in tube 204 b withpin 120, even if 204 b has been slid out from 204 a. As a secondexample, telescoping tube 204 a may be slid out from outer tube 104 a,and telescoping tubes 104 a and 204 b may remain within telescoping tube204 a by inserting pin 120 through the distal through-holes 206 of tube204 a, 204 b, and 104 b.

Apparatus 100′ may be raised to lock pull up bar 122 at a higher height,for use or storage. This may be accomplished by removing pin 120 fromthe through-holes 206 of the plurality of telescoping tubes 204, andsliding or pushing at least one inner telescoping tube into an outertelescoping tube. At the desired height, pin 120 is inserted through thealigned through-holes 206 of the telescoping tubes 104. It will beunderstood that there are numerous alternative mechanisms (in additionto the use of pins and through-holes) for locking the telescoping tubesin their desired positions (such as by use of threaded locking collars),all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the currentdisclosure.

Exercises, including pull-ups, may be performed on the apparatus 100 atany set height variation. Stability bar 112, exposed sections 132 of thesecond segment 105, and accessory rings 126 may also be used forperforming exercises.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise device comprising: at least oneL-shaped tube having a first, length-adjustable, segment and a generallyperpendicular second segment; the L-shaped tube rigidly fixed to amounting bracket, a stabilizer bar, and a pull up bar; and the mountingbracket, stabilizer bar, and pull-up bar extending generally parallel toeach other, and generally perpendicular to the L-shaped tube.
 2. Theexercise device of claim 1, further comprising: at least two of theL-shaped tubes mounted in parallel planes, wherein the stabilizer barand pull-up bar extend between the two parallel L-shaped tubes.
 3. Theexercise device of claim 1, wherein the first segment includes anoutermost telescoping tube, and an innermost telescoping tube slidablyattached to the outermost telescoping tube.
 4. The exercise device ofclaim 3, wherein: the mounting bracket is attached to the outermosttelescoping tube; and the stabilizer bar is mounted to the innermosttelescoping tube.
 5. The exercise device of claim 3, further comprising:a through-hole for receiving a pin on the distal end of the outermosttelescoping tube; and a through-hole on both the distal end and theproximal end of the innermost telescoping tubes.
 6. The exercise deviceof claim 3, wherein: the first segment and the second segment areconnected by a curved cuff; a first end of the curved cuff is rigidlyfixed to the distal end of the innermost telescoping tube; and a secondend of the curved cuff is rigidly fixed to one end of the secondsegment.
 7. The exercise device of claim 3, further comprising: aplurality of telescoping tubes slidably attached to the outermosttelescoping tube and the innermost telescoping tube.
 8. The exercisedevice of claim 7, wherein: each telescoping tube is lockable to atleast one adjacent tube at the extended position.
 9. The exercise deviceof claim 7, further comprising a through-hole for receiving a pin oneach distal end and each proximal end of each of the plurality oftelescoping tubes.
 10. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: themounting bracket is attached at the proximal end of the first segment,and the stabilizer bar is attached to the distal end of the firstsegment.
 11. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a pin,wherein one end of the pin is attached to the stabilizer bar with astretchy cord.
 12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the firstsegment and the second segment are connected by a connector.
 13. Theexercise device of claim 1, wherein the pull up bar is attached to thesecond segment of the L-tube.
 14. The exercise device of claim 13,wherein the pull up bar is set partially back from the distal end of thesecond segment, to create a free end at distal end of the secondsegment.
 15. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising at leastone accessory ring attached to at least one of the pull-up bar and thestability bar.
 16. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of grips at least partially encasing the pull up bar, thestabilizer bar, and the second segment.
 17. The exercise device of claim16, wherein the grip is a flexible material, and is one of: rubberized,texturized, or soft touch.
 18. An exercise device comprising: at leasttwo L-shaped tubes, each having a vertically extending first segment anda generally perpendicular outwardly extending second segment; a pull upbar and a stabilizer bar extending generally parallel to each otherbetween the two L-shaped tubes, and generally perpendicular to theL-shaped tubes; the first segments include an outermost telescopingtube, and an innermost telescoping tube slidably attached to theoutermost telescoping tube; and a mounting bracket attached to at leastone of the L-shaped tubes; the pull up bar being attached to the secondsegment of the L-tube; and the pull up bar being set partially back fromthe distal end of the second segment, to create a free end at distal endof the second segment.
 19. The exercise device of claim 20, furthercomprising a plurality of grips at least partially encasing the pull upbar, the stabilizer bar and the free end of the second segment.
 20. Theexercise device of claim 20, further comprising a releasable lock forreleasably locking the innermost telescoping tube with respect to theoutermost telescoping tube.